Why it matters:
Biological neurons are up to 1 million times more energy-efficient than silicon chips.
Biocomputing could reduce the energy demands of AI and offer new tools for disease modeling and drug testing.
FinalSpark’s work may lead to breakthroughs in understanding brain function and the development of ethical alternatives to animal testing.
The big picture:
Swiss startup FinalSpark is pioneering biocomputing by using clusters of living human brain cells, called organoids, as processors. The company has partnered with 10 universities worldwide to explore this revolutionary technology, which could reshape computing and neuroscience.
How it works:
Organoids are created from reprogrammed human skin cells and contain about 10,000 neurons each.
These mini-brains are kept alive in nutrient-rich solutions and connected to electrodes that allow them to respond to electrical signals.
Scientists can trigger neural activity similar to digital binary responses, enabling basic computational tasks.
Some experiments use dopamine to “reward” organoids, mimicking human learning behavior.
What’s next:
Organoids currently survive up to four months, but maintaining them remains a challenge due to the lack of blood vessels.
FinalSpark collaborates with ethicists to ensure the research stays within moral boundaries.
While wetware won’t replace silicon soon, it’s expected to complement AI and expand biomedical research.
Go deeper:
Iran Warns Against Western Obstruction as UNSC Nuclear Oversight Has Ended
Hossein Amiri - Mojtaba Darabi
